The influence of Sex on the Effects of Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation on Muscular Power and Endurance.

Inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation increases nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and may improve muscular power and endurance, although most studies are in males. Therefore, the present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of NO3- supplementation on isokinetic peak power, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force, muscular endurance (time-to-task failure; TTF), and recovery from fatigue in young females (n=12) and males (n=14). Participants consumed ~13mmol NO3- (BRJ), or an identical NO3--depleted beverage (PL), for ~3 days and 2 hours before testing visits. Plasma nitrate and nitrite were elevated in the BRJ condition (p ≤ 0.05). Peak power (W·kg-1) showed a sex effect (p ≤ 0.05) at all angular velocities and a sex-by-treatment effect at 270 and 360°/sec (p ≤ 0.05). Post hoc analysis revealed no significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05). Estimated maximal knee extension power (Pmax) and maximal knee extension velocity (Vmax) demonstrated no sex, treatment, or sex-by-treatment effect (p > 0.05). There were no significant effects for TTF (F: PL; 269±161 vs BRJ; 277±158s and M: PL; 228±171 vs BRJ; 194±100s; p > 0.05). Cohen's d effect sizes for peak power showed moderate to large effect sizes at 270 (d=0.92) and 360 deg/sec (d=0.81), showing a possible differentiated effect of dietary nitrate in females and males. The present data indicate that NO3- supplementation does not significantly affect knee extensor maximal power, maximal contraction velocity, and muscular endurance in either sex. The sex-dependent response to dietary nitrate supplementation requires further investigation as data on females is scarce.

The Effects of Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation on Muscular Power and Endurance Across the Menstrual Cycle.

Oral inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation increases nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and may improve muscular power in males and females, although data in females is limited. Estrogen increases NO bioavailability and fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle (MC), with low levels in the early follicular (EF) phase and peaking during the late follicular (LF) phase. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of NO3- supplementation on isokinetic peak power, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force, muscular endurance, and recovery from fatigue in healthy young females during the EF and LF phases of the MC. Ten eumenorrheic females were tested in a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled design. Participants consumed ~13mmol NO3-, in the form of 140ml beetroot juice (BRJ), or an identical NO3--depleted placebo (PL), for ~5 days prior to visits and 2 hours prior to testing. Plasma estradiol was elevated in the LF phase, and plasma nitrite and nitrate were elevated in the BRJ condition (p < 0.05). While isokinetic peak power was unchanged, calculated maximal power (Pmax) and maximal velocity (Vmax) was significantly worsened in the BRJ treatment independent of the MC phase (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Muscular endurance, MVIC, and fatigue recovery were unaltered by BRJ or the MC. These data indicate that NO3- supplementation decreased maximal power and velocity in females and suggest that the benefits of NO3- supplementation previously found in males may not extend to young females.

Fatty acid composition MRI of epicardial adipose tissue: Methods and detection of proinflammatory biomarkers in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

PURPOSE: To develop a method for quantifying the fatty acid composition (FAC) of human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) using accelerated MRI and identify its potential for detecting proinflammatory biomarkers in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A multi-echo radial gradient-echo sequence was developed for accelerated imaging during a breath hold using a locally low-rank denoising technique to reconstruct undersampled images. FAC mapping was achieved by fitting the multi-echo images to a multi-resonance complex signal model based on triglyceride characterization. Validation of the method was assessed using a phantom comprised of multiple oils. In vivo imaging was performed in STEMI patients (n = 21; 14 males/seven females). FAC was quantified in EAT, subcutaneous AT, and abdominal visceral AT. RESULTS: Phantom validation demonstrated strong correlations (r > 0.97) and statistical significance (p < 0.0001) between measured and reference proton density fat fraction and FAC values. In vivo imaging of STEMI patients revealed a distinct EAT FAC profile compared to subcutaneous AT and abdominal visceral AT. EAT FAC parameters had significant correlations with left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume index (p < 0.05), LV end-systolic volume index (p < 0.05), and LV mass index (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated MRI enabled accurate quantification of human EAT FAC. The relationships between the EAT FAC profile and LV structure and function in STEMI patients suggest the potential of EAT FAC MRI as a biomarker for adipose tissue quality and inflammatory status in cardiovascular disease.

Lower vascular conductance responses to handgrip exercise are improved following acute antioxidant supplementation in young individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Young individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) display peripheral vascular and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, two factors potentially stemming from a redox imbalance. It is currently unclear if these aforementioned factors, observed at rest, alter peripheral haemodynamic responses to exercise in this population. This study examined haemodynamic responses to handgrip exercise in young individuals with PTSD following acute antioxidant (AO) supplementation. Thirteen young individuals with PTSD (age 23 ± 3 years), and 13 age- and sex-matched controls (CTRL) participated in the study. Exercise-induced changes to arm blood flow (BF), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and vascular conductance (VC) were evaluated across two workloads of rhythmic handgrip exercise (3 and 6 kg). The PTSD group participated in two visits, consuming either a placebo (PL) or AO prior to their visits. The PTSD group demonstrated significantly lower VC (P = 0.04) across all exercise workloads (vs. CTRL), which was significantly improved following AO supplementation. In the PTSD group, AO supplementation improved VC in participants possessing the lowest VC responses to handgrip exercise, with AO supplementation significantly improving VC responses (3 and 6 kg: P < 0.01) by blunting elevated exercise-induced MAP responses (3 kg: P = 0.01; 6 kg: P < 0.01). Lower VC responses during handgrip exercise were improved following AO supplementation in young individuals with PTSD. AO supplementation was associated with a blunting of exercise-induced MAP responses in individuals with PTSD displaying elevated MAP responses. This study revealed that young individuals with PTSD exhibit abnormal, peripherally mediated exercise responses that may be linked to a redox imbalance.

Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary non-psychoactive chemical derived from Cannabis Sativa, and its growing popularity is due to its potential therapeutic properties while avoiding the psychotropic effects of other phytocannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Numerous pre-clinical studies in cellular and animal models and human clinical trials have demonstrated a positive impact of CBD on physiological and pathological processes. Recently, the FDA approved its use for the treatment of seizures, and clinical trials to test the efficacy of CBD in myocarditis and pericarditis are ongoing. AREAS COVERED: We herein reviewed the current literature on the reported effects of CBD in the cardiovascular system, highlighting the physiological effects and the outcomes of using CBD as a therapeutic tool in pathological conditions to address this significant global health concern. EXPERT OPINION: The comprehensive examination of the literature emphasizes the potential of CBD as a therapeutic option for treating cardiovascular diseases through its anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant properties in different conditions such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Sex differences in the effects of inorganic nitrate supplementation on exercise economy and endurance capacity in healthy young adults.

Dietary nitrate (NO3-) is a widely used supplement purported to provide beneficial effects during exercise. Most studies to date include predominantly males. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate if there is a sex-dependent effect of NO3- supplementation on exercise outcomes. We hypothesized that both sexes would exhibit improvements in exercise economy and exercise capacity following NO3- supplementation, but males would benefit to a greater extent. In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, twelve females (24 ± 4 yr) and fourteen males (23 ± 4 yr) completed two 4-min moderate-intensity (MOD) exercise bouts followed by a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) task after following 3 days of NO3- supplementation (beetroot juice or BRJ) or NO3--depleted placebo (PL). Females were tested during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. During MOD exercise, BRJ reduced the steady-state V̇o2 by ∼5% in males (M: Δ -87 ± 115 mL·min-1; P < 0.05) but not in females (F: Δ 6 ± 195 mL·min-1). Similarly, BRJ extended TTE by ∼15% in males (P < 0.05) but not in females. Dietary NO3- supplementation improved exercise economy during moderate-intensity exercise and exercise capacity during severe-intensity TTE in males but not in females. These differences could be related to estrogen levels, antioxidant capacity, nitrate-reducing bacteria, or a variety of known physiologic differences such as skeletal muscle calcium handling, and/or fiber type. Overall, our data suggests the ergogenic benefits of oral NO3- supplementation found in studies predominantly on male subjects may not be applicable to females.NEW & NOTEWORTHY While inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation has increased in popularity as an ergogenic aid to improve exercise performance, the role of sex in NO3- supplementation on exercise outcomes is lacking despite known physiological differences during exercise between sex. This study revealed that males, but not females, improved exercise economy during submaximal exercise and exercise capacity during exercise within the severe-intensity domain following NO3- supplementation.

The acute effects of exercise intensity and inorganic nitrate supplementation on vascular health in females after menopause.

Menopause is associated with reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular function. Although exercise is known to improve vascular function, this is blunted in estrogen-deficient females post-menopause (PM). Here, we examined the effects of acute exercise at differing intensities with and without inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation on vascular function in females PM. Participants were tested in a double-blinded, block-randomized design, consuming ∼13 mmol NO3- in the form of beetroot juice (BRJ; n = 12) or placebo (PL; n = 12) for 2 days before experimental visits and 2 h before testing. Visits consisted of vascular health measures before (time point 0) and every 30 min after (time points 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180) calorically matched high-intensity exercise (HIE), moderate-intensity exercise (MIE), and a nonexercise control (CON). Blood was sampled at rest and 5-min postexercise for NO3-, NO2-, and ET-1. BRJ increased N-oxides and decreased ET-1 compared with PL, findings which were unchanged after experimental conditions (P < 0.05). BRJ improved peak Δflow-mediated dilation (FMD) compared with PL (P < 0.05), defined as the largest ΔFMD for each individual participant across all time points. FMD across time revealed an improvement (P = 0.05) in FMD between BRJ + HIE versus BRJ + CON, while BRJ + MIE had medium effects compared with BRJ + CON. In conclusion, NO3- supplementation combined with HIE improved FMD in postmenopausal females. NO3- supplementation combined with MIE may offer an alternative to those unwilling to perform HIE. Future studies should test whether long-term exercise training at high intensities with NO3- supplementation can enhance vascular health in females PM.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study compared exercise-induced changes in flow-mediated dilation after acute moderate- and high-intensity exercise in females postmenopause supplementing either inorganic nitrate (beetroot juice) or placebo. BRJ improved peak ΔFMD postexercise, and BRJ + HIE increased FMD measured as FMD over time. Neither PL + MIE nor PL + HIE improved FMD. These findings suggest that inorganic nitrate supplementation combined with high-intensity exercise may benefit vascular health in females PM.

The effects of inorganic nitrate supplementation on exercise economy and endurance capacity across the menstrual cycle.

Oral inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation has been shown to increase bioavailable NO and provide potential ergogenic benefits in males; however, data in females is scarce. Estrogen is known to increase endogenous NO bioavailability and to fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle (MC), being lowest in the early follicular (EF) phase and highest during the late follicular (LF) phase. This study examined the effects of oral NO3- supplementation on exercise economy, endurance capacity, and vascular health in young females across the MC. Ten normally menstruating females' MCs were tested in a double-blinded, randomized design during both the EF and LF phases of the MC. Participants consumed ∼13 mmol NO3-, in the form of 140 mL beetroot juice (BRJ) or an identical NO3--depleted placebo (PL) for ∼3 days before lab visits and 2 h before testing on lab visits. Plasma nitrate, nitrite, and estradiol were assessed, as was blood pressure and pulse wave velocity. Moderate-intensity exercise economy and severe intensity time to exhaustion (TTE) were tested on a cycle ergometer. As expected, plasma estradiol was elevated in the LF phase, and plasma nitrite and nitrate were elevated in the BRJ condition. Exercise economy was unaltered by BRJ or the MC, however TTE was significantly worsened by 48 s (∼10%) after BRJ supplementation (P = 0.04), but was not different across the MC with no interaction effects. In conclusion, NO3- supplementation did not affect exercise economy or vascular health and worsened aerobic endurance capacity (TTE), suggesting healthy females should proceed with caution when considering supplementation with BRJ.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation has increased in popularity as a means of improving exercise performance, data in females at different phases of the menstrual cycle are lacking despite known interactions of estrogen with NO. This study revealed neither NO3- supplementation nor the menstrual cycle influenced exercise economy or vascular health in healthy young naturally menstruating females, while NO3- supplementation significantly worsened endurance capacity (10%) independent of the menstrual cycle phase.

Limited Effects of Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation on Exercise Training Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation is purported to benefit short-term exercise performance, but it is unclear whether NO3- improves longer-term exercise training responses (such as improvements in VO2peak or time to exhaustion (TTE)) versus exercise training alone. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of NO3- supplementation combined with exercise training on VO2peak and TTE, and to identify potential factors that may impact outcomes. METHODS: Electronic databases (PubMed, Medscape, and Web of Science) were searched for articles published through June 2022 with article inclusion determined a priori as: (1) randomized placebo-controlled trials, (2) exercise training lasted at least three weeks, (3) treatment groups received identical exercise training, (4) treatment groups had matched VO2peak at baseline. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias 2 tool. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using restricted maximum likelihood estimation between pre- and post-training differences in outcomes. Moderator subgroup and meta-regression analyses were completed to determine whether the overall effect was influenced by age, sex, NO3- dosage, baseline VO2peak, health status, NO3- administration route, and training conditions. RESULTS: Nine studies consisting of eleven trials were included: n = 228 (72 females); age = 37.7 ± 21 years; VO2peak: 40 ± 18 ml/kg/min. NO3- supplementation did not enhance exercise training with respect to VO2peak (SMD: 0.18; 95% CI: -0.09, 0.44; p = 0.19) or TTE (SMD: 0.08; 95% CI: - 0.21, 0.37; p = 0.58). No significant moderators were revealed on either outcome. Subset analysis on healthy participants who consumed beetroot juice (BRJ) revealed stronger trends for NO3- improving VO2peak (p = 0.08) compared with TTE (p = 0.19), with no significant moderators. Sunset funnel plot revealed low statistical power in all trials. CONCLUSIONS: NO3- supplementation combined with exercise training may not enhance exercise outcomes such as VO2peak or TTE. A trend for greater improvement in VO2peak in healthy participants supplemented with BRJ may exist (p = 0.08). Overall, future studies in this area need increased sample sizes, more unified methodologies, longer training interventions, and examination of sex as a biological variable to strengthen conclusions.

Vascular Responses to Passive and Active Movement in Premenopausal Females: Comparisons across Sex and Menstrual Cycle Phase.

PURPOSE: Adequate, robust vascular responses to passive and active movement represent two distinct components linked to normal, healthy cardiovascular function. Currently, limited research exists determining if these vascular responses are altered in premenopausal females (PMF) when compared across sex or menstrual cycle phase. METHODS: Vascular responses to passive leg movement (PLM) and handgrip (HG) exercise were assessed in PMF ( n = 21) and age-matched men ( n = 21). A subset of PMF subjects ( n = 11) completed both assessments during the early and late follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Microvascular function was assessed during PLM via changes in leg blood flow, and during HG exercise, via steady-state arm vascular conductance. Macrovascular (brachial artery [BA]) function was assessed during HG exercise via BA dilation responses as well as BA shear rate-dilation slopes. RESULTS: Leg microvascular function, determined by PLM, was not different between sexes or across menstrual cycle phase. However, arm microvascular function, demonstrated by arm vascular conductance, was lower in PMF compared with men at rest and during HG exercise. Macrovascular function was not different between sexes or across menstrual cycle phase. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified similar vascular function across sex and menstrual cycle phase seen in microvasculature of the leg and macrovascular (BA) of the arm. Although arm microvascular function was unaltered by menstrual cycle phase in PMF, it was revealed to be significantly lower when compared with age-matched men highlighting a sex difference in vascular/blood flow regulation during small muscle mass exercise.

High sodium intake differentially impacts brachial artery dilation when evaluated with reactive versus active hyperemia in salt resistant individuals.

This study sought to determine if high sodium (HS) intake in salt resistant (SR) individuals attenuates upper limb arterial dilation in response to reactive (occlusion) and active (exercise) hyperemia, two stimuli with varying vasodilatory mechanisms, and the role of oxidative stress in this response. Ten young, SR participants (9 males, 1 female) consumed a 7-day HS (6,900 mg/day) and a 7-day recommended sodium intake (RI: 2,300 mg/day) diet in a randomized order. On the last day of each diet, brachial artery (BA) function was evaluated via reactive (RH-FMD: 5 min of cuff occlusion) and active [handgrip (HG) exercise] hyperemia after consumption of both placebo (PL) and antioxidants (AO). The HS diet significantly elevated sodium excretion (P < 0.05), but mean arterial blood pressure was unchanged. During the PL condition, the HS diet significantly reduced RH-FMD when compared with RI diet (P = 0.01), but this reduction was significantly restored (P = 0.01) when supplemented with AO (HS + PL: 5.9 ± 3.4; HS + AO: 8.2 ± 2.7; RI + PL: 8.9 ± 4.7; RI + AO: 7.0 ± 2.1%). BA shear-to-dilation slopes, evaluated across all HG exercise workloads, were not significantly different across sodium intervention or AO supplementation. In SR individuals, HS intake impaired BA function when assessed via RH-FMD, but was restored with acute AO consumption suggesting oxidative stress as a contributor to this dysfunction. However, exercise-induced BA dilation was unaltered, potentially implicating an inability of HS intake to influence the mechanisms responsible for effectively maintaining skeletal muscle perfusion during exercise.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examined if high sodium (HS) intake in salt resistant (SR) individuals attenuates brachial artery (BA) flow-mediated dilation in response to reactive (occlusion) and active (exercise) hyperemia. In SR individuals, HS intake impaired reactive hyperemia-induced BA dilation, but not exercise-induced BA dilation. This finding suggests that although brachial artery nitric oxide bioavailability may be reduced following HS intake, the redundant mechanisms associated with adequate upper limb blood flow regulation during exercise are maintained.

Exaggerated pressor responses, but unaltered blood flow regulation and functional sympatholysis during lower limb exercise in young, non-Hispanic black males.

PURPOSE: Young non-Hispanic black (BL) males have displayed lower blood flow (BF) and vascular conductance (VC), but intact functional sympatholysis, during upper limb exercise when compared to non-Hispanic white (WH) males. This study sought to explore if similar differences were also present in the lower limbs. METHODS: Thirteen young BL males and thirteen WH males completed one visit comprised of rhythmic lower limb (plantar flexion) exercise as well as upper limb (handgrip) exercise for a limb-specific comparison. Limb BF, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and VC were evaluated at three submaximal workloads (8, 16, and 24 kg). To determine potential limb differences in functional sympatholysis, the impact of sympathetic nervous system activation (via cold-pressor test (CPT)) was evaluated at rest and during steady state exercise (30 % of maximal voluntary contraction) on a subsequent visit. RESULTS: MAP responses to lower and upper limb exercise were elevated in young BL males (vs WH males), resulting in significantly lower VC responses in the upper limb, but not the lower limb. Further, BL males, when compared to WH males, revealed no differences in functional sympatholysis, evident by similar responses in both the exercising leg and arm VC during CPT. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study indicate that although elevated MAP responses were observed during both lower and upper limb exercise in young BL males, vascular conductance was only hindered in the upper limbs. This may potentially highlight enhanced compensatory mechanisms in the lower limb (vs upper limb) to maintain perfusion in young BL males.

Impact of acute antioxidant supplementation on vascular function and autonomic nervous system modulation in young adults with PTSD.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with an increase in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of this study was to determine if peripheral vascular dysfunction, a precursor to CVD, was present in young adults with PTSD, and if an acute antioxidant (AO) supplementation could modify this potential PTSD-induced vascular dysfunction. Thirteen individuals with PTSD were recruited for this investigation and were compared with 35 age- and sex-matched controls (CTRL). The PTSD group participated in two visits, consuming either a placebo (PTSD-PL) or antioxidants (PTSD-AO; vitamins C and E; α-lipoic acid) before their visits, whereas the CTRL subjects only participated in one visit. Upper and lower limb vascular functions were assessed via flow-mediated dilation and passive leg movement technique. Heart rate variability was utilized to assess autonomic nervous system modulation. The PTSD-PL condition, when compared with the CTRL group, reported lower arm and leg microvascular function as well as sympathetic nervous system (SNS) predominance. After acute AO supplementation, arm, but not leg, microvascular function was improved and SNS predominance was lowered to which the prior difference between PTSD group and CTRL was no longer significant. Young individuals with PTSD demonstrated lower arm and leg microvascular function as well as greater SNS predominance when compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Furthermore, this lower vascular/autonomic function was augmented by an acute AO supplementation to the level of the healthy controls, potentially implicating oxidative stress as a contributor to this blunted vascular/autonomic function.

Examining sex differences in sitting-induced microvascular dysfunction: Insight from acute vitamin C supplementation.

PURPOSE: Lower limb microvascular dysfunction resulting from prolonged sitting (PS) bouts has been revealed to occur independent of sex. Although acute antioxidant supplementation has been reported to blunt conduit artery dysfunction following PS in young males, it is unknown if this protective effect extends to the microvasculature or is relevant in young females, who possess intrinsic vascular protective mechanisms specific to antioxidant defense. Therefore, this study employed an acute antioxidant supplementation to further examine sex differences during PS with a specific focus on microvascular function. METHODS: On two separate visits, 14 females (23 ± 3 years) and 12 males (25 ± 4 years) had leg microvascular function (LMVF) assessed (via the passive leg movement technique) before and after 1.5 h of sitting. Prior to each visit, one gram of vitamin C (VC) or placebo (PL) was consumed. RESULTS: PS significantly reduced LMVF [PL: (M: -34 ± 20; F: -23 ± 18%; p < 0.01) independent of sex (p = 0.7)], but the VC condition only blunted this reduction in males (VC: -3 ± 20%; p < 0.01), but not females (VC: -18 ± 25%; p = 0.5). CONCLUSION: Young males and females reported similar reductions LMVF following PS, but only the young males reported a preservation of LMVF following the VC supplementation. This finding in young females was highlighted by substantial variability in LMVF measures in response to the VC condition that was unrelated to changes in the potential contributors to sitting-induced reductions in LMVF (e.g. lower limb venous pooling, reduced arterial shear rate). NEW AND NOTEWORTHY: In this study, we employed an acute Vitamin C (VC) supplementation to examine sex differences in leg microvascular function (LMVF) following a bout of prolonged sitting. This study revealed that prolonged sitting reduced LMVF independent of sex, but only young males reported an attenuation to this lowered LMVF following VC supplementation. The young females revealed substantial variability in sitting-induced changes to LMVF that could not be explained by the potential contributors to sitting-induced reductions in LMVF (e.g. lower limb venous pooling, reduced arterial shear rate).

Low sleep efficiency does not impact upper or lower limb vascular function in young adults.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? We sought to investigate whether young adults reporting low sleep quality possessed lower vascular function and altered autonomic nervous system modulation when compared with young adults reporting high sleep quality. What is the main finding and its importance? The study revealed that in young adults reporting low sleep quality, neither vascular nor autonomic function was significantly different when compared with young adults reporting high sleep quality. These findings suggest that young adults are either not substantially impacted by or can adequately adapt to the negative consequences commonly associated with poor sleep. ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to investigate whether young adults reporting low sleep quality also possessed lower vascular function, potentially stemming from altered autonomic nervous system modulation, when compared with young adults reporting high sleep quality. Thirty-one healthy young adults (age 24 ± 4 years) underwent a 7 night sleep assessment (Actigraph GT3X accelerometer). After the sleep assessment, subjects meeting specific criteria were separated into high (HSE; ≥85%; n = 11; eight men and three women) and low (LSE; <80%; n = 11; nine men and two women) sleep efficiency groups. Peripheral vascular function was assessed in the upper and lower limb, using the flow-mediated dilatation technique in the arm (brachial artery) and leg (superficial femoral artery). Heart rate variability was evaluated during 5 min of rest and used frequency parameters reflective of parasympathetic and/or sympathetic nervous system modulation (high- and low-frequency parameters). By experimental design, significant differences in sleep quality between groups were reported, with the LSE group exhibiting a longer time awake after sleep onset, higher number of awakenings and longer average time per awakening when compared with the HSE group. Despite these differences in sleep quality, no significant differences in upper and lower limb vascular function and heart rate variability measures were revealed when comparing the LSE and HSE groups. Additionally, in all subjects (n = 31), no correlations between sleep efficiency and vascular function/autonomic modulation were revealed. This study revealed that low sleep quality does not impact upper or lower limb vascular function or autonomic nervous system modulation in young adults.

A Prior High-Intensity Exercise Bout Attenuates the Vascular Dysfunction Resulting From a Prolonged Sedentary Bout.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to determine the impact of an acute prior bout of high-intensity interval aerobic exercise on attenuating the vascular dysfunction associated with a prolonged sedentary bout. METHODS: Ten young (24 ± 1 y) healthy males completed two 3-hour sessions of prolonged sitting with (SIT-EX) and without (SIT) a high-intensity interval aerobic exercise session performed immediately prior. Prior to and 3 hours into the sitting bout, leg vascular function was assessed with the passive leg movement technique, and blood samples were obtained from the lower limb to evaluate changes in oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase) and inflammation (interleukin-6). RESULTS: No presitting differences in leg vascular function (assessed via passive leg movement technique-induced hyperemia) were revealed between conditions. After 3 hours of prolonged sitting, leg vascular function was significantly reduced in the SIT condition, but unchanged in the SIT-EX. Lower limb blood samples revealed no alterations in oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, or inflammation in either condition. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that lower limb vascular dysfunction was significantly attenuated by an acute presitting bout of high-intensity interval aerobic exercise. Further analysis of lower limb blood samples revealed no changes in circulating oxidative stress or inflammation in either condition.

Aerobic training and vascular protection: Insight from altered blood flow patterns.

NEW FINDING: What is the central question of this study? This study sought to determine whether prior upper limb aerobic training can attenuate the vascular dysfunction resulting from negative alteration of blood flow patterns. What is the main finding and its importance? We demonstrated that the microvasculature of young men with prior upper limb aerobic training (rowing) was equally susceptible to negatively altered blood flow patterns when compared with untrained control subjects. This finding reveals that aerobic training does not provide adequate protection against this type of vascular insult, highlighting the importance of reducing known vascular insults regardless of training status. ABSTRACT: Acute alteration of blood flow patterns can substantially reduce blood vessel function and, if consistently repeated, may chronically reduce vascular health. Aerobic exercise training is associated with improved vascular health, but it is not well understood whether aerobic training-induced vascular adaptations provide protection against acute vascular insults. This study sought to determine whether prior upper limb aerobic training can attenuate the vascular dysfunction resulting from an acute vascular insult (increased retrograde/oscillatory shear). Ten young arm-trained (AT) men (rowers; 22 ± 1 years of age) and 10 untrained (UT) male control subjects (21 ± 3 years of age) were recruited for this study. Subjects completed two brachial artery (BA) flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) tests separated by an acute bout of subdiastolic cuff inflation (SDCI) of the distal forearm. Brachial artery dilatation (normalized for the shear stimulus) and reactive hyperaemia evaluated during the BA FMD test were used to determine conduit artery and microvascular function, respectively. Data were presented as mean values ± SD. The AT group reported significantly greater whole body (peak oxygen uptake; P = 0.01) and forearm aerobic capacity (P < 0.001). The SDCI intervention significantly increased retrograde (P < 0.001) and oscillatory shear (P < 0.001) in both groups. After the SDCI, microvascular function (post-cuff release hyperaemia), but not conduit artery function (shear-induced BA dilatation), was significantly reduced from pre-SDCI values (P = 0.001) independent of group. This study revealed that young men with prior upper limb aerobic training, when compared with untrained control subjects, were equally susceptible to the microvascular dysfunction associated with an acute increase in retrograde/oscillatory shear.

Examining Arm Vascular Function and Blood Flow Regulation in Row-trained Males.

Vascular function and blood flow responses to upper limb exercise are differentially altered in response to different exercise training modalities. Rowing is a unique exercise modality that incorporates the upper limbs and can significantly augment upper limb endurance, strength, and power capacity. PURPOSE: This study sought to determine whether vascular function and blood flow regulation during handgrip exercise are altered in row-trained males. METHODS: Nine young row-trained males (ROW, 20 ± 1 yr; V˙O2peak = 51 ± 2 mL·kg·min) and 14 recreationally active male controls (C: 22 ± 1 yr; V˙O2peak = 37 ± 2 mL·kg·min) were recruited for this study. Subjects performed multiple bouts of progressive rhythmic handgrip exercise. Brachial artery (BA) diameter, blood flow, shear rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured at rest and during the last minute of each exercise workload. RESULTS: Resting values for BA diameter, blood flow, shear rate, and mean arterial pressure were not different between groups. During handgrip exercise, the ROW group reported significantly lower BA blood flow (ROW vs C: 4 kg [146 ± 21 vs 243 ± 13 mL·min], 8 kg [248 ± 29 vs 375 ± 17 mL·min], 12 kg [352 ± 43 vs 490 ± 22 mL·min]) across all workloads when compared with controls. The examination of BA dilation, when controlled for the shear rate stimulus and evaluated across all workloads, was revealed to be significantly greater in ROW group versus controls. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that vascular function and blood flow regulation were significantly different in row-trained males when compared with untrained controls evidenced by greater shear-induced BA dilation and lower arm blood flow during progressive handgrip exercise.

Aerobic training status does not attenuate prolonged sitting-induced lower limb vascular dysfunction.

This study examined if the degree of aerobic training protects against the lower limb vascular dysfunction associated with a prolonged sitting bout. Ten young, aerobically trained (AT) and 10 young, untrained (UT) individuals completed a prolonged (3 h) sitting bout. Leg vascular function was measured prior to and at 1.5 and 3 h into the prolonged sitting bout using the passive leg movement (PLM) technique. PLM-induced hyperemia was significantly reduced from baseline at 1.5 and 3 h into the prolonged sitting bout in both groups when evaluated as peak change in leg blood flow from baseline (Δ LBF) (UT: 956 ± 140, 586 ± 80, and 599 ± 96 mL·min-1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively; AT: 955 ± 183, 789 ± 193, and 712 ± 131 mL·min-1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively) and LBF area under the curve (UT: 283 ± 73, 134 ± 31, and 164 ± 42 mL·min-1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively; AT: 336 ± 86, 242 ± 86, and 245 ± 73 mL·min-1 at baseline, 1.5 h, and 3 h, respectively), but no significant differences between groups were revealed. No significant correlations were observed when examining the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (relative and absolute) and reductions in leg vascular function at 1.5 and 3 h into the prolonged sitting bout. This study revealed that aerobic training did not provide a protective effect against prolonged sitting-induced lower limb vascular dysfunction and further highlights the importance of reducing excessive sitting in all populations.